Experts are saying Senator Clinton's campaign has stalled in recent weeks, but supporters believe her strength in Ohio could spark a revival.
Clinton spent Thursday morning wooing auto workers in Warren with Governor Strickland.
Clinton: "For so many years, this state has defined our values, expanded our horizons,,and kept the American Dream alive. But at the beginning of this new century -- here in Youngstown and across the state -- the American Dream is being tested."
The told the auto workers she would go after insurance companies, payday lenders, oil companies and nations that manipulate U.S. trade agreements.
Clinton: "China's steel comes here -- our jobs go there. We play by the rules -- they manipulate their currency. And we get tainted fish, lead-laced toys and poisoned pet foods in return... And we've had enough, it's time to level the playing field against the special interests and deliver 21st century solutions to rebuild the middle class."
Clinton now trails Senator Obama by about 130 delegates, according to the Associated Press. That makes winning crucial in Ohio, Texas and Pennsylvania, where 492 delegates up for grabs.
In an effort to connect with the much-coveted younger demographic, former first daughter Chelsea Clinton is making the rounds of Ohio colleges.
Meanwhile, newly installed campaign chairman Terry McAuliffe told MSNBC Clinton still represents the democratic party's best hope for victory in November.
McAuliffe: "If you look at the delegate count there's only one-percent that separates us right now. And we're ahead in the big states, Texas, Ohio and Pennsylvania, which we will win."
Clinton is ahead in the latest poll of Ohio and Pennsylvania voters. A Quinnipiac University poll released Thursday shows Clinton leading Obama by 21 points. But among Black voters, who represent about 12 percent of the state's registered democrats, Obama leads by 47 points.
But because these states -- and Texas for that matter -- award delegates proportionally, Clinton would have to not just win, but win BIG to remain competitive.
Clinton backers would argue there's a good chance for that kind of victory here -- as long as her affinity for the blue-collar "lunchbucket democrats" holds firm.
Clinton makes an appeal to that group in a commercial that began airing earlier this week.
Clinton: "The Bush economy is like a trap door. Too many families are one pink slip, one missed mortgage, one medical diagnosis away from falling through and losing everything."
She's also drafted a small army of over 100 public officials and political leaders, including Strickland and Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. Democratic mayors of Akron, Canton and Toledo are represented, but not those of Youngstown, Cleveland, Columbus or Dayton.
Clinton is ultimately banking on family familiarity. Ohio voters sent her husband to the White house twice.
Clinton: "In the end, it comes down to just one question: When the bright lights are off and the speeches are over, who can you count on to listen to you, to stand up for you, to deliver solutions for you?"
Clinton and Obama will take part in a debate February 26th at Cleveland State University.
Kymberli Hagelberg, 90.3.